This article draws from my experience testing over 50 scheduling tools, insights from interviews with 80+ users, and an in-depth review of more than 150 customer feedback reports.
14 October 2024
17 min read
Appointlet used to be my go-to scheduling software, but after exploring alternatives, I'd never look back. The clunky interface and limited features left me feeling frustrated and overwhelmed.
I found myself spending more time navigating the platform than actually scheduling appointments. The lack of customization options made it difficult to create a booking experience that aligned with my brand.
Appointlet could have been a great tool. But with so many better options available, why settle for something that doesn't meet your needs?
Lunacal
Calenddar Hero
Book like a boss
Savvycal
Zoho Bookings
Hubspot Bookings
Cal.com
Oncehub
Google Calendar
Chili Piper
| Detailed Comprison | Lunacal | Calenddar Hero | Book like a boss | Savvycal | Zoho Bookings | Hubspot Bookings | Cal.com | Oncehub | Google Calendar | Chili Piper |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scheduling Page |  |  | | | | | | | | |
| Customization | | | | | | | | | | |
| Teams | | | | | | | | | | |
| Support | | | | | | | | | | |
| Ease of use | | | | | | | | | | |
| 3rd party integrations | | | | | | | | | | |
| User interface | | | | | | | | | | |
| Calendar sync | | | | | | | | | | |
| Free plan | yes | yes | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Lunacal isn't just a scheduling tool; it's a personalized brand experience. Forget those boring, generic booking pages. With Lunacal, you can create a scheduling page that's as unique as your business. Think of it as your digital storefront, where you showcase your personality and entice clients to book.
Customizable Scheduling Pages: Make your page a reflection of your brand with custom bios, images, videos, and testimonials.
Client Testimonials Integration: Build trust and credibility by displaying client reviews right on your scheduling page.
Branding Options: Customize colors, logos, and more to create a cohesive look that matches your brand.
Free Forever Plan: Get started with Lunacal for free, no credit card required.
Calendar Sync: Seamlessly integrate with Google, Outlook, and Apple calendars.
Automated Reminders: Reduce no-shows and keep clients informed with automated email and SMS reminders.
Buffer Times: Manage your time effectively by setting buffer times before and after appointments.
Team Collaboration Tools: Schedule for teams with features like round-robin and lead routing.
Instant Booking Links: Share booking links quickly and easily for immediate access.
Multiple Timezone Support: Automatically adjust times for clients worldwide.
Guided Onboarding: Get started quickly with step-by-step guidance.
Multi-Event Booking: Allow clients to book multiple services or appointments in one go.
Custom Availability: Set your availability windows to show clients only the times you want to offer.
Integrations with Popular Tools: Connect with Zoom, Microsoft Teams, payment gateways, and more.
Analytics Dashboard: Track bookings, analyze client behavior, and optimize your page for better results.
Lunacal offers a free plan with basic features that never expires. Paid plans start at $10/month per user, unlocking advanced features like custom branding and team scheduling. If you need more functionality, higher-tier options are available.
Lunacal is a fantastic tool for freelancers and small businesses looking to create a personalized and engaging scheduling experience. It's easy to use, highly customizable, and offers a free plan to get you started.
While it might not be the best fit for large enterprises with complex CRM needs, Lunacal is a great choice for anyone who wants to make a good impression and streamline their booking process.
Overall Score: 9.2/10
If you're looking for a reliable scheduling tool that's easy to use and packed with features, Calendar Hero is definitely worth considering. It's a great alternative to Appointlet, offering a clean interface and a range of customization options.
Customizable Booking Pages: Create branded booking pages that match your website's design.
Calendar Sync: Seamlessly integrate with Google, Outlook, and other popular calendars.
Automated Email Reminders: Reduce no-shows with automated email reminders.
Team Scheduling: Manage scheduling for multiple team members and departments.
Buffer Times: Set buffer times between appointments to avoid scheduling conflicts.
Integrations: Connect with popular tools like Zoom, Google Meet, and payment gateways.
Analytics: Track booking data and optimize your scheduling process.
Calendar Hero offers a free plan with basic features. Paid plans start at $8/month, unlocking advanced options like team scheduling, CRM integrations, and more comprehensive meeting controls.
Calendar Hero is a solid choice for businesses of all sizes that need a reliable and easy-to-use scheduling tool. It offers a good balance of features, customization options, and affordability. While it might not have the same level of advanced features as some other Appointlet competitors, it's a great choice for businesses that prioritize simplicity and reliability.
Overall Score: 6.3/10
Book like a boss is a scheduling software that offers a user-friendly interface and a range of customization options. It's a great alternative to Appointlet, especially if you're looking for a platform that's easy to set up and use. I've personally used it and found it to be a reliable and efficient tool for managing my appointments.
Customizable Booking Pages: Create branded booking pages that match your website's design.
Calendar Integration: Sync seamlessly with Google, Outlook, and other popular calendars.
Automated Reminders: Send automatic email and SMS reminders to reduce no-shows.
Team Scheduling: Manage bookings for multiple team members and locations.
Payment Processing: Accept payments directly through your booking page.
Online Meeting Integration: Integrate with popular video conferencing platforms like Zoom and Google Meet.
Customizable Availability: Set your availability based on your schedule and preferences.
Analytics: Track your bookings and performance with detailed analytics.
Book Like A Boss pricing starts at $9 per month for the basic plan, which includes essential features like calendar sync and payment integration.
The Standard plan is $19 per month, while the Boss plan costs $29 per month for extra branding options and unlimited pages.
Book like a boss is a solid choice for anyone looking for a user-friendly and customizable scheduling software. It's a great alternative to Appointlet, especially if you're on a budget or don't need a wide range of integrations.
While it may not be the best option for large enterprises with complex needs, they might want to explore other Appointlet competitors better suited for more advanced requirements, it's a great fit for small businesses and freelancers.
Overall Score: 8.8/10
SavvyCal offers a more flexible and user-friendly approach than Appointlet. It’s great for people who need to manage multiple meeting types and customize scheduling links. I found it way easier to manage my availability here. If you've been frustrated by rigid tools, this is a solid alternative to Appointlet.
Calendar Overlay: Lets your guests see their own calendar next to yours, making it easy to find common availability.
Multiple Meeting Types: You can offer different lengths of meetings and types, like quick calls or longer consultations.
Personalized Scheduling Links: Customize the URL of your scheduling link to match your brand. This adds a personal touch.
Meeting Buffers: Set buffer times before or after meetings, so you don’t get back-to-back bookings.
Team Scheduling: If you work with a team, you can assign meetings across team members to ensure the right person gets booked.
Custom Availability: You can set specific availability for each meeting type, avoiding conflicts between personal and professional calls.
SavvyCal offers a free plan with basic features. Paid plans start at $12/month, which includes advanced scheduling options, team features, and calendar integrations.
In my experience, SavvyCal feels like a more personal, flexible solution than Appointlet. It’s built for people who need more control over their scheduling, and it delivers. I particularly love the ability to personalize scheduling links and offer different meeting types.
The calendar overlay is a lifesaver when coordinating with busy clients. That said, if you’re on a tight budget, the lack of a free plan could be a deal-breaker.
Still, for teams or anyone needing more flexibility, SavvyCal is a worthy alternative. You get what you pay for—more features, more control, and a smoother scheduling experience.
Overall Score: 7.9/10
Zoho Bookings is a solid alternative to Appointlet, especially if you’re already using Zoho’s suite of tools.
It’s built for businesses that need something functional and integrated with CRM systems. In my experience, it works well but can feel a bit clunky at times. Is it the perfect solution for everyone? Probably not, but if you're a Zoho user, it’s worth considering.
Integration with Zoho CRM: If you already use Zoho, this feature makes managing customer bookings directly within the CRM seamless.
Multiple Booking Types: Offers options for one-on-one sessions, group bookings, and classes. Handy if your business juggles different appointment types.
Customizable Booking Page: Allows customization of your booking page to match your brand's style, but options feel limited compared to others.
Automatic Reminders: Sends email and SMS reminders to reduce no-shows, which is always a plus.
Timezone Detection: Automatically detects your client’s timezone for easy scheduling, saving you from timezone confusion.
Zoho Bookings starts with a free plan for a single user. Paid plans begin at $6 per user per month, which includes more advanced features and multi-user access.
Zoho Bookings is a great alternative to Appointlet if you’re deep into the Zoho ecosystem. The integration with Zoho CRM makes it easy to manage customer relationships and bookings in one place. In my experience, the multiple booking types and automatic reminders are incredibly helpful for businesses that handle different appointment structures.
However, the user interface could use some work, and the customization options are a bit limited if you’re looking for a fully branded experience, especially compared to other Appointlet competitors.
Pricing is reasonable, but could feel steep depending on the features you need. If you’re already a Zoho user, this might be the scheduling tool you’ve been looking for. If not, you may want to explore other options.
Overall Score: 7.9/10
Hubspot Bookings is an integrated scheduling tool that works well if you're already in the Hubspot ecosystem. It’s handy but has limitations. As an alternative to Appointlet, it covers the basics but lacks customization and flexibility.
In my experience, it feels more suited for simple use cases rather than extensive personalization.
Calendar Sync: It integrates with Google and Outlook, so syncing your schedule is straightforward.
Meeting Links: Automatically generate personalized booking links for clients.
Team Scheduling: Allows team-based scheduling but lacks advanced routing options.
CRM Integration: Direct connection to Hubspot CRM for easy follow-up.
Basic Customization: You can add some branding, but options are limited.
Automated Reminders: Clients get automatic email reminders before meetings.
HubSpot Meetings is part of HubSpot’s paid plans, which start at $50/month. There’s also a free version with limited features.
In my experience, Hubspot Bookings works if you’re already using Hubspot’s CRM and marketing tools. The seamless connection makes follow-ups easy, and it’s simple to use. However, it feels limited in customization and flexibility, which can be frustrating if you’re managing diverse scheduling needs. For teams, the lack of advanced features like lead routing or in-depth personalization might be a dealbreaker.
If you’re looking for an alternative to Appointlet that’s more flexible and customizable, you might want to explore other Appointlet competitors.
Hubspot Bookings is best for those already in the Hubspot world, but it’s not as robust or adaptable as some alternatives.
Overall Score: 7.9/10
If Appointlet feels a bit restrictive, Cal.com might be the scheduling hero you've been searching for. It offers a ton of flexibility and powerful features, making it a great alternative for those who need more control over their scheduling experience.
Open Source & Self-Hosting: Host Cal.com yourself for maximum control and privacy (tech-savvy folks rejoice!).
Customizable Booking Pages: Design your booking page to match your brand with logos, colors, and custom fields.
Multiple Calendars & Integrations: Connect all your calendars (Google, Outlook, etc.) to avoid double-booking. Plus, integrate with popular tools like Zoom and Zapier.
Advanced Availability: Set recurring availability patterns, buffer times between appointments, and blackout specific days.
Team Scheduling: Manage bookings for your entire team with round-robin scheduling and team availability views.
Automated Workflows: Send automatic confirmations, reminders, and follow-up emails to streamline your communication.
Payments: Integrate with payment gateways to accept deposits or full payments when booking.
Video Conferencing: Cal.com even has its own built-in video conferencing tool, eliminating the need for separate platforms.
Cal.com offers a free tier with limited features, and their paid plans start at around $12 per user/month. There’s also a custom enterprise option if you need more robust functionality.
Cal.com is a powerful scheduling tool that goes beyond the basics offered by Appointlet. It's perfect for those who want a lot of control over their booking experience, especially freelancers and small businesses with growing teams.
However, the learning curve and self-hosting option might not be ideal for everyone
Overall Score: 7.9/10
Oncehub is a scheduling tool that focuses on streamlining complex workflows.
If you’re coming from Appointlet, it’s a good alternative, especially if you need more control over your scheduling process.
It may feel a bit overwhelming at first, but once you get used to it, the advanced features can be pretty helpful.
Custom Booking Pages: Tailor the booking experience with custom fields and questions for guests.
Automated Workflows: Automate scheduling tasks to save time and reduce manual input.
Team Scheduling: Perfect for teams needing round-robin booking or lead routing.
Multi-Calendar Sync: Syncs with multiple calendars to avoid double bookings and ensure availability.
Integrations: Connects with tools like Salesforce and Hubspot for a smooth workflow.
Time Zone Detection: Automatically adjusts for the guest's time zone, reducing confusion.
Analytics: Get insights on meetings and performance to improve scheduling efficiency.
Oncehub offers a free plan with basic features. Paid plans start at $10 per user per month, which increases depending on the number of users and features you need.
In my experience, Oncehub is a powerful tool, but it might not be for everyone. If you’re managing a large team or need advanced scheduling workflows, it’s worth a shot. The customization and automation features are fantastic if you invest the time to learn them. However, it can feel a bit overwhelming for smaller teams or solo users, who might prefer exploring other Appointlet competitors.
Compared to simpler alternatives like Appointlet, Oncehub is more complex but offers deeper control and better integrations.
Just be prepared for the learning curve and higher price tag.
Overall Score: 7.9/10
If you're looking for a straightforward and free scheduling solution, Google Calendar is a great alternative to Appointlet. While it might not have all the bells and whistles of some dedicated scheduling tools, it's a reliable and familiar option for many people.
Basic Scheduling: Create events, set reminders, and invite others to your schedule.
Calendar Integration: Sync with Google Workspace apps like Gmail and Drive.
Time Zone Support: Automatically adjust times for attendees in different time zones.
Google Meet Integration: Easily schedule video meetings directly from your calendar.
Mobile App: Access your calendar and schedule events on the go.
Google Calendar is free for individual users. For businesses, it’s included in Google Workspace, starting at $6 per user per month.
Google Calendar is a great option if you need a simple and free scheduling tool. It's perfect for individuals and small teams who don't require advanced features like payment processing or deep customization. While it might not be the best choice for businesses with complex scheduling needs, Google Calendar is a reliable and familiar option that can get the job done.
Overall Score: 5.8/10
Chili Piper is a powerful scheduling tool that offers a wide range of features, making it a great alternative to Appointlet for businesses with complex scheduling needs. It's particularly well-suited for sales teams, as it integrates seamlessly with CRM platforms and offers advanced features like routing and qualification.
CRM Integrations: Connect Chili Piper to your favorite CRM platform, such as Salesforce or HubSpot, for a seamless workflow.
Routing Rules: Automatically route leads to the appropriate team members based on various criteria, such as location, language, or product interest.
Qualification Forms: Collect information from leads before scheduling a meeting, helping you qualify potential customers.
Meeting Scheduling: Create booking links, set availability, and allow clients to choose their preferred meeting time.
Calendar Sync: Integrate with Google Calendar, Outlook, and other popular calendars to avoid double-booking.
Automated Reminders: Send automatic email or SMS reminders to reduce no-shows.
Team Scheduling: Manage bookings for multiple team members and locations.
Analytics: Track your booking performance, analyze lead behavior, and optimize your scheduling process.
Chili Piper’s pricing starts at $15 per user/month for basic scheduling. Advanced features, like lead routing and automation, are available in higher-tier plans, which can get expensive for smaller teams.
Chili Piper is a powerful scheduling tool that offers a wide range of features, making it a great alternative to Appointlet for businesses with complex scheduling needs.
While it can be complex to set up and use, the benefits of using Chili Piper can outweigh the drawbacks for many businesses.
If you're looking for a robust scheduling solution that integrates seamlessly with your CRM and offers advanced features like routing and qualification, Chili Piper is definitely worth considering.
Overall Score: 6.7/10
Scheduling Page: How flexible is the scheduling page? Can you add profiles, images, videos, or client testimonials? A strong page can boost trust and engagement.
Customization: Does the platform let you tweak everything, from colors to layouts? Customization is key to making your scheduling page stand out.
Teams: Is there support for team scheduling, round-robin booking, or assigning specific clients to reps? Teams need seamless collaboration.
Support: How fast and reliable is customer support? A responsive team can save you from potential headaches.
Ease of Use: Does it require a steep learning curve? A straightforward tool saves time and effort.
3rd Party Integrations: Can it connect with the tools you’re already using? Seamless integration helps avoid disruptions.
User Interface: Is the interface clean and intuitive? A clunky design can make the whole experience feel frustrating.
Calendar Sync: Does it sync effortlessly with popular calendars like Google or Outlook? This is a non-negotiable for smooth scheduling.
Free Plan: Does it offer a decent free plan? This can be a deal-breaker for startups or freelancers on a budget.
While there are several scheduling tools out there, Lunacal stands out as the clear winner for most users. Its ease of use, powerful features, and free forever plan make it an attractive option for individuals and small businesses.
For larger companies with 500+ users, it might be worth exploring other options like Cal.com and HubSpot meetings. These platforms often offer deeper integrations with enterprise-level CRMs and other tools. However, they can be more complex to use, have higher price tags, and might have limited support options.
If you're looking for a user-friendly, customizable, and affordable scheduling platform, Lunacal is the way to go. Its ability to personalize your scheduling pages can help you build stronger relationships with your clients and improve your overall booking experience
If you're a small business looking for a user-friendly and affordable scheduling tool, consider Lunacal or Book like a boss. Both offer a range of features and customization options, making them great choices for businesses of all sizes.
Lunacal is a great option for freelancers who want to create a professional and branded booking experience. It offers features like customizable booking pages and automated reminders, making it easy to manage your schedule and client interactions.
When choosing a scheduling tool, consider factors such as ease of use, customization options, integration capabilities, price, and customer support. Think about your specific needs and preferences to find the best fit for your business.
Yes, there are several free scheduling options available, including Google Calendar and Cal.com. While they may not offer all the features of paid options, they can be a good starting point for small businesses with limited budgets.
For large enterprises with complex scheduling needs, consider platforms like Chili Piper or Calendly. These tools offer advanced features like team scheduling, routing rules, and deep integrations with CRM systems.
Consider your team's size, needs, and budget when choosing a scheduling tool. Look for a platform that offers features like team scheduling, availability management, and integrations with your existing tools.